Drivers will start noticing significant changes, says firm working on M27 Contractor responds after being asked why ‘so little’ work done?
A contractor carrying out the controversial M27 resurfacing scheme has promised: “Even greater progress will become visible soon.”
Morgan Sindall, the firm tasked with fulfilling National Highways’ overlay scheme for the M27 between junctions 5 (Stoneham) and 7 (Hedge End), has responded to concerns raised by Fareham Borough Council leader Sean Woodward.
The two-year £83m scheme started on March 18, but drivers have been critical about the lack of work being carried out despite the lane reductions.
In a follow-up round of questions to Morgan Sindall, Cllr Woodward questioned “why so little” work was being done while also asking why lane two was not made as the main wider lane.
Morgan Sindall said: “When closing lanes overnight, we typically reduce capacity to one lane in each direction, and having the middle lane as the narrowest ensures we’re able to close two lanes next to each other while still maintaining adequate lane widths for HGVS.
“We appreciate that as we’re currently completing smaller activities progress may not be as visible.
“We’ll be writing to residents in the coming days to provide a progress update, and to let them know that we are working as quickly and as safely as possible to complete our work.
“Road users will begin to notice significant changes once we begin installing the new concrete safety barrier later in this current phase.
“Even greater progress will become visible once we move into phase 2, at which point we’ll begin overlaying the eastbound carriageway with the new low-noise asphalt surface.
“Before that work can begin, we must first complete a variety of smaller activities that may not be noticeable to passing road users.”
But questions still remain from baffled residents.
Drainage surveys, saw cutting, removal of the existing barrier, excavation of the central reservation and material testing are the tasks which Morgan Sindall workers are currently undertaking.
As we’re currently completing smaller activities, we appreciate progress may not be as visible